What to do for better towing?

k5goose · 02-02-2008, 03:33 PM

First off, I'm new here, sooo what's up to all. Looks like a gr8 Titan forum.
Question is with the Big Tow 05 or 06 4x4 all the goodies. What can I do for better performance in towing? Not more towing in lbs, but to tow the lbs with greater ease.

Thanks,

Goose

**Carbeaux** · 02-02-2008, 04:52 PM

Timing advance.

I don't know of anything else.

**loufish** · 02-02-2008, 06:59 PM

If you aren't already tow in 4th instead of 5th, and if you're hitting a grade, I downshift before the trans thinks it needs to...This all helps the hill towing.
Time advance, CAI, good exhaust...

Nissanloyalist · 02-09-2008, 04:25 PM

My air intake and exahust helped a lot. I also did see a noticable difference using 91 to 92 octane while towing. My airbags helped by leveling the truck and making it safer to go a little faster.

**Carbeaux** · 02-09-2008, 04:37 PM

Following up on the higher octane. Also a good idea IMHO. I use regular all other times, but not when I tow.

k5goose · 02-18-2008, 10:09 AM

Finaly picked up the TT over the weekend, so what CAI and exhaust are most running for towing. Nothing to loud, just looking for the better towing, not cool or bad a$$, not really in to that.

Thanks,

Goose

Nissanloyalist · 02-18-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k5goose

Finaly picked up the TT over the weekend, so what CAI and exhaust are most running for towing. Nothing to loud, just looking for the better towing, not cool or bad a$$, not really in to that.

Thanks,

Goose

There was a thread on this a couple years ago and a member tried around 6 or 7 different combos w/ CAI and exhaust. Shailey I belive did this and now thats over at CT.org. His findings are what I went with for lowest noise and biggest bang for buck. The AEM w/ magnaflow muffler only ( muffler only showed just as much gain as cat back). Also this showed one of the largest gains on his truck 9hp and 14lb-ft at the wheels. The other factor for me was noise as well. This setup only has increased noise at the drivers position (which was weired to me) and gave a nice note outside. Not to overpowering. This has worked great for my setup. I just got the timming advance as well and do see a difference around town but have not towed w/ it yet. I am pleased w/ it so far. Also congrats on your new purchase. ENJOY!!

**RobKar** · 02-18-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k5goose

Finaly picked up the TT over the weekend, so what CAI and exhaust are most running for towing. Nothing to loud, just looking for the better towing, not cool or bad a$$, not really in to that.

Thanks,

Goose

I have not done exhaust, but I do have the AFE CAI and it works well. Stillen make a quiet bolt on exhaust that adds a little. As for Gas I run 91 all the time now because I get better millage using 91. Also get the timing advance.

For reference I tow a 29ft TT ~ 8000 lbs.

Bullwinkle · 02-18-2008, 10:55 AM

There is no reason what so ever to use anything higher than 87 octane unless you're engine is pinging, and there is never a reason to go higher than 89. You don't get better performance with higher octane. Octane is basically just a measure of the speed at which it burns which goes hand-in-hand with detonation. Higher octane gas burns a little slower.

The only things I would do to improve towing are install either helper springs or helper air bags, and/or a load distribution hitch.

A lot of people on this site like the 2 degree timing advance. I haven't heard or read of any disadvantages to that, although I assume the timing set as it is gives you more mpg.

I'm not a fan of cold air intakes because of the filter you have to run. The gauze/mesh filters flow better, but they also let in more dirt unless they are sufficiently oiled...then they don't flow as well. Also, the horsepower increase with a cold air intake is typically around 2-5 hp in the 5500 rpm range, and they are noisy.

The power gain with cold air intake and free'er flowing exhaust is greater, but again, the gain is in the 5500 rpm range.

Nissanloyalist · 02-18-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle

There is no reason what so ever to use anything higher than 87 octane unless you're engine is pinging, and there is never a reason to go higher than 89. You don't get better performance with higher octane. Octane is basically just a measure of the speed at which it burns which goes hand-in-hand with detonation. Higher octane gas burns a little slower.

The only things I would do to improve towing are install either helper springs or helper air bags, and/or a load distribution hitch.

A lot of people on this site like the 2 degree timing advance. I haven't heard or read of any disadvantages to that, although I assume the timing set as it is gives you more mpg.

I'm not a fan of cold air intakes because of the filter you have to run. The gauze/mesh filters flow better, but they also let in more dirt unless they are sufficiently oiled...then they don't flow as well. Also, the horsepower increase with a cold air intake is typically around 2-5 hp in the 5500 rpm range, and they are noisy.

The power gain with cold air intake and free'er flowing exhaust is greater, but again, the gain is in the 5500 rpm range.

The higher octane fuels burn more completely which allows more usable energy. You only use about 30% of the energy available in petroleum based fuels in combustion engines so reasons to seem the more you burn the more you get out. As far as CAI the AEM is a new dry flow filter which filters smaller particles than most or any other filter on the market. I myself do not have any increase in noise from the CAI. Yes there have been real world studies that show CAI nor exhaust alone do much but together is well proven. With premium fuels and greater air flow from CAI it takes advantage of all together. You can't burn more fuel w/o air. Just another view on the subject.

**RobKar** · 02-18-2008, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullwinkle

There is no reason what so ever to use anything higher than 87 octane unless you're engine is pinging, and there is never a reason to go higher than 89. You don't get better performance with higher octane. Octane is basically just a measure of the speed at which it burns which goes hand-in-hand with detonation. Higher octane gas burns a little slower.

The only things I would do to improve towing are install either helper springs or helper air bags, and/or a load distribution hitch.

A lot of people on this site like the 2 degree timing advance. I haven't heard or read of any disadvantages to that, although I assume the timing set as it is gives you more mpg.

I'm not a fan of cold air intakes because of the filter you have to run. The gauze/mesh filters flow better, but they also let in more dirt unless they are sufficiently oiled...then they don't flow as well. Also, the horsepower increase with a cold air intake is typically around 2-5 hp in the 5500 rpm range, and they are noisy.

The power gain with cold air intake and free'er flowing exhaust is greater, but again, the gain is in the 5500 rpm range.

I used to think like you but I run a Scanguage II and I see a 1.5 - 2 MPG difference when using 91. Argue all you want, but this is real world.

I have a CAI and the increase of stock was rather impressive for this simple change. My truck went from 257HP to 272HP with the CAI alone and no advance. My CAI is noisy but I you don't hear it until you get on it. Oh and the gain in Torque was 3500rpm - 4500RPM -- good for towing.

k5goose · 02-18-2008, 11:53 AM

Thanks guys, just payed "Sammy Sandbag" for his AFE CAI so looks like thats what I will have. Now just need the exhaust. What do you think will work well with the AFE?

Thanks,

Goose

Bullwinkle · 02-18-2008, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobKar

I used to think like you but I run a Scanguage II and I see a 1.5 - 2 MPG difference when using 91. Argue all you want, but this is real world.

I have a CAI and the increase of stock was rather impressive for this simple change. My truck went from 257HP to 272HP with the CAI alone and no advance. My CAI is noisy but I you don't hear it until you get on it. Oh and the gain in Torque was 3500rpm - 4500RPM -- good for towing.

Was the initial dyno run done with a clean stock air filter? You can easily see that much gain between a dirty & clean stock air filter.

In my opinion, 3500 to 4500 rpms are still too high to be useable unless it's a steep grade. A gain in hp/tq in the 2500 to 3500 range would be much more useful.

I believe you on the mileage. I've gotten the same increase with 91 in my previous truck. Higher octane might mean less ethanol...I don't really know. Regardless, the cost of premium & 1.5 to 2 mpg better doesn't make sense.

Nissanloyalist, sorry, but what i've read over the years contradict everything you're saying.

Smoke05 · 02-18-2008, 08:15 PM

Bullwinkle, Under a load, such as towing a travel trailer, the higher octane does indeed matter. As your motor loads up it will indeed slightly knock with the 87. Perhaps not perceptable to your ears, but pereptable to your engines knock sensors. When the knock is detected it retards your timing and cuts back your HP. Running 91 or better does not let the engine knock at all. I tow a 7500lb travel trailer. First towed with 87, 9mpg. Towed the same route later in the year with 91, 10-11mpg. Also noted that the truck held gears longer meaning less downshifts. Believe what you want to, but I have duplicated my mileage many times on varied terrain as well. You also have seen a chart stating the higher octane under a load is not snake oil. FWIW it has been shown here quite a few times that the Titan and Infiniti SUV share the same motor and ECU, yet the Infiniti puts out more hp. Difference? Infiniti call for premium fuel.

PatrickL · 02-18-2008, 08:53 PM

Hey Smoke05. Not to hijack....but i guess i will. Have you done anything to your titan for towing. I am getting ready to tow a similar sized cargo trailer to Alaska and want to get as good a mileage as I can and minimize the wear to my truck. I am thinking either a cummins or a titan. Titan sure does look better. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Ohhh, and ignore my profile. Just sold the Tacoma and will be replacing it in the very near future.